Hi, I will soon be moving into new construction and would very much appreciate a sanity check on my

Hi,
I will soon be moving into new construction and would very much appreciate a sanity check on my proposed automation setup before I pull the trigger and dive into this time-consuming and not inexpensive hobby (I pre-wired as much as possible (so I guess I'm already committed to some extent!  :o), so everything will be hard-wired except for the Z-wave components; there are no Wi-Fi controlled items, as the home network is all CAT6.
 
Hometroller S6
- is it worth it to upgrade to PRO for more RAM based on the following automation?
 
Control panels
- Android POE wall-mounted tablets (I can't post links based on me being a new member, but it's the geekland POE ones) running HSTouch as a regular app.  Anyone have experience with Android POE tablets or can suggest other POE tablets that are wall-mountable?
 
Lighting
- UPB; also with dry contacts or step-down LV stuff to control garage doors
 
Alarm
- DSC 1864 PowerSeries using EnvisaLink 3 IP interface
 
Audio
- I already have a Russound MCA-C3 whole house controller (4 zones) with DSM media server, but may change to multiple Sonos Connect:Amps
 
Cameras
- Hikvision POE outdoor/indoor bullets and domes
 
Roller Shades
- Somfy motors powered via low-voltage wiring; I pre-wired for 16/4, so I guess I can go RS485 or use Somfy RTS with the Z-Wave to RTS interface
 
Locks
-Z-wave
 
Thermostat
-Z-wave, but have CAT6 wired to thermostat locations in case I come across any ethernet-based thermostats (any recommendations?)
 
Basically, I just need reassurance that this setup would work under Homeseer either natively or with their plug-ins.  Is there anything that I'm doing that's out of the ordinary or that the seasoned automation folk  on here would discourage or recommend that it be done a different way? I'll also post on the Homeseer boards.
 
Thanks!
 
Not to spam my own thread, but this forum software has to be the most onerous one I've used since the dawn of the Internet.   :wacko:   It didn't let me post my second message as my first one, so I had to create a first dummy message and reply to that with the substance of my intended message.  And now I can't edit my first message. Oh well.
 
Welcome to the Cocoontech forum sickpuppy.   You have to post a bit more to get more posting features on the forum.
 
It is just a default feature of the forum.
 
sanity check on my proposed automation setup - checked ✔ Guessing here you sane and your faculties are working.
 
Here I utilize Homeseer Pro and a Leviton HAI OmniPro II for my security and automation.  
 
Homeseer since around its inception in1998 and the Omnipro II since the early 2000's.
 
The software compliments the hardware and vice versa.
 
The Hometroller S-6 is an all included package of stuff.  The Pro version gives you more stuff.
 
Personally here have always run Homeseer on a PC (big or little).
 
Today running little and big Homeseer 2 Pro and little and big Homeseer 3 Pro boxes.
 
Little is using an Intel based Atom D525 and a Rasberry Pi 2.  Big is an old but fast Intel Core Duo and a new Intel iSeries Haswell computer.  Old was running on Windows server; new is running on Ubuntu 14.04.
 
You can do Android based touchscreens running Homeseer touch, Lighting, Alarm, audio, cameras, roller shades locks and thermostats with Homeseer.
 
Here while I have Android stuff much of my Homeseer touch is in embedded windows wired via POE. 
 
Note that Homeseer is a not a security system and not a CCTV NVR box.  That said Homeseer will play fine with security and CCTV.  Many folks are using Blue Iris with Homeseer (there is a plugin). 
 
Here relating to security my OmniPro II has it's own keypads / touchscreen consoles and can run independent of Homeseer.  I use Zone Minder as a CCTV NVR box. 
 
You will get more answers on the Homeseer forum relating to Homeseer Plugins that do this that. 
 
Here you have a many folks that are doing automation and security; many with hardware combo panels and software; well an eclectic mix here of folks doing doing this stuff.
 
The infrastructure you are putting in now provides you with the flexibility of what it is you want to do.
 
Personally here have been a happy camper with UPB light switches.  Lately here have gone to a few multipaddle / dual load type of UPB switches.  Just set them up and forget about it; no maintenance has to be done; they just work fine for me.
 
sickpuppy said:
Roller Shades
- Somfy motors powered via low-voltage wiring; I pre-wired for 16/4, so I guess I can go RS485 or use Somfy RTS with the Z-Wave to RTS interface
 
Locks
-Z-wave
 
Thermostat
-Z-wave, but have CAT6 wired to thermostat locations in case I come across any ethernet-based thermostats (any recommendations?)
 
A few observations on the above:
 
Z-wave is a mesh network, you'll need to add a few "beaming" z-wave modules to your system to operate locks and thermostat.
 
If you get RTS shades it's best to use serial RTS controller from Somfy and not z-wave. I would check with Homeseer folks if there is a plugin to control either RS485 or RTS shades, as I do not recall seeing one.
 
You may consider HAI Omnistat for your thermostat, it is hard-wired and is supported by Homeseer.
 
 

picta said:
Z-wave is a mesh network, you'll need to add a few "beaming" z-wave modules to your system to operate locks and thermostat.
 
If you get RTS shades it's best to use serial RTS controller from Somfy and not z-wave. I would check with Homeseer folks if there is a plugin to control either RS485 or RTS shades, as I do not recall seeing one.
 
You may consider HAI Omnistat for your thermostat, it is hard-wired and is supported by Homeseer.
 
Yes, thanks... I heard it's best to have 5 Z-wave devices spread across a house as opposed to 100 Z-wave devices in the same room.  I'm trying to minimize RF transmissions in the house (albeit z-wave has a minimal RF presence of around 10 days' worth of transmission over the course of a year or so I take it from the spec), so I'll have to tinker with the right amount amount of repeaters or beaming devices as you've referred to it.  I'll look into the serial RTS controller.. didn't know it existed, as well as the HAI Omnistat.. thanks!
 
pete_c said:
anity check on my proposed automation setup - checked ✔ Guessing here you sane and your faculties are working.
 
Thanks for the detailed response. I've been lurking on the forums in the past and have seen your many posts both here and on Homeseer.  Can you tell me why you're running two Homeseer boxes?  Do they operate independently from each other?  Glad you brought up a point I was going back and forth on - using multipurpose wall switches for UPB or controlling scenes via HSTouch.  Since I'm just starting out, I'll go with the former, but it seems like the latter would be better for day to day living even if it fragments the home automation experience by allowing control away from the touchpads. 
 
Can you tell me why you're running two Homeseer boxes?  Do they operate independently from each other?
 
Because I am doing some separate stuff with them and they do operate independently and together if that makes sense and I am doing stuff with them that I cannot do with the Leviton HAI OmniPro II panel.
 
using multipurpose wall switches for UPB
 
The multitoggle UPB switches do their own thing via links programmed by Upstart.  They are little computers that can manage their own scenes once configured to do so.  The wired touch screen consoles add the visual candy.
 
The wireless tablets / phones are off unless I am using them and I do not utilize them for automation consoles today.  I am not automation dependent here on my phones or tablets.  That is me.
 
Well I do have a couple of dedicated for automation tabletop wireless consoles set up to play and they work OK. 
 
I utilize Jon's Homeseer remote / network monitoring utility for the wired / wireless touchscreens.  Here is what that looks like.  There are more than 10 touchscreens as I have some larger ones in wall mounted.   I can totally remote control them via Homeseer plus they run scripts independant of Homeseer.
 
I do also do similiar with Android and Linux.  Over the years though and left in place and working fine has been Wintel CE and Embedded XP/W7 that always has provided an easy plug n play solution for me and Homeseer.  That is me though and what I have done with HSTouch over the years.
 
jogglers.jpg
 
I can't imagine how your fragmented HA setup can possibly have a high WAF.  But if indeed everything runs smoothly, I am in awe and salute your HA prowess.  :pray:   I mirror your view on portable devices having very limited roles in a HA environment.  That's why I despise these ad-hoc (e.g., wi-fi capable bulbs) HA solutions that have recently been flooding the market.  Don't even get me started on "cloud" based HA.  No, thank you.  But unfortunately, this HA model is the only way to introduce HA to the public and have them buy into it.  My electrician didn't even know what UPB lighting was, so how would Joe 'Home Depot' Six Pack have a clue.  "Lookey here Martha, I kin control this here light bulb with my iPhone app!" 
 
Back on topic, though, do you know if the multitoggle UPB switches directly control the lighting or is the command sent back to the PIM and then software, which then sends the appropriate command along the UPB network.  I heard that if it's the former then one is able to have more uniform ramp-up/levels of dimmer controlled lights.  Another thing that I haven't pinned down and Simply Automated says they don't have a list (due to constant change in tech), but does anyone know of flawlessly working (e.g., non-buzzing, even dimming, etc.) built-in LED recessed trims that work with UPB?
 
I can't imagine how your fragmented HA setup can possibly have a high WAF.
 
The boxes / OmniPro II compliment each other.  I guess the WAF is relating to acceptance of what is (well over twenty years now).
 
She will not utilize my Homeseer touchscreens because they are too busy; rather she uses the Omnitouch 5.7 screens because they are simple.  She prefers an old fashioned cell phone with only number buttons on it rather than a touchscreen display.  Very difficult to find these days.
 
do you know if the multitoggle UPB switches directly control the lighting or is the command sent back to the PIM and then software, which then sends the appropriate command along the UPB network
 
The multitoggle UPB switches can or not directly control 1-2 wired in loads.  Rest is control of a link.  The links are direct switch to switch.
 
You can utilize a link or just switch toggle event on Homeseer to drive scripts or other events or whatever.
 
I am mostly still using incandescent lighting and the ramp levels / dimming levels are OK.  Personally the dust has to settle on LEDs as it has not yet.  There are many folks here using LEDs and dimming with UPB and appear to be fine?
 
IE: one paddle on the UPB switch in the family room sends a link to 4 light switches to dim them all the same.  This is a direct link. 
 
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